The Basilica of San Clemente is located at 300 yards from the Colosseum, on the road that gently rises between Colle Oppio (Domus Aurea) and the Celio, leading to San Giovanni in Laterano. It takes its name from Pope San Clemente, third successor of Saint Peter, who died around 100 A.D.

His commemoration falls on November 23rd, according to the date that we find in the fifth century's italian martyrology, known as Martirologio Geronimiano.

Today's Basilica was considered the original until 1857, when Prior Father Joseph Mulloly ordered some underground diggings. Incredible finds were brought to light; the original basilica, dating back to IV century A.D., was discovered immediatly underneath; going on with archaeological excavations, even older buildings were found, bringing back time to I century A.D. The most significant event happened in the years 1912-1914 when the fourth stratum of the Basilica was found, thanks to Father Louis Nolan, who had a gutter placed between San Clemente and the Colosseum; this last and more ancient Basilica belongs to the period of Nero's Fire to the Domus Aurea in 64 A.D.